A recent special plan on the key areas of development in the western regions of China is expected to further improve people's living conditions in the next five to ten years.
The plan, issued by the State Development Planning Commission (SDPC), under the framework of the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05) gives top priority to the construction of road, railway, airport, natural gas pipeline and inland river transportation, transmission of gas and electricity from west to east, and building of petroleum and natural gas bases in the next five years.
Efforts on ecological protection are also included as one of the key action areas. Trial projects to return cultivated land to forest and pasture will be strengthened.
Covering some 56 percent of the nation's territory and 11 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, western China is well known for its abundant energy, mineral£, agriculture and husbandry resources.
However, the region has not enjoyed the same degree of prosperity as eastern China since the country launched its reform and opening-up policy in late 1970s.
In the next five years£ more emphasis will be given to accelerate infrastructure construction, ecological protection, industrial restructuring and education in the region £ and more breakthroughs in these fields are expected to be achieved with the advancement in science and technology, the newspaper quoted sources from of the SDPC as saying.
(Xinhua News Agency 08/08/2001)
